About The Song
Few songs in the canon of American country music so eloquently bridge the gap between tradition and rebellion as Waylon Jennings’ Bob Wills Is Still the King. Written in 1975 and first recorded as part of his landmark live album Waylon Live, this track is far more than just an homage to Bob Wills, the pioneering figure behind Western swing. It is, in many ways, a thoughtful meditation on heritage, musical evolution, and the sometimes uneasy relationship between the old guard and the rising tides of change. Like much of Jennings’ finest work, the song weaves wit, respect, and a touch of defiance into a deceptively simple narrative that resonates with both seasoned country aficionados and newcomers intrigued by the genre’s rich history.
At the heart of Bob Wills Is Still the King lies a dual purpose. On one hand, it is undeniably a nod of respect to Bob Wills, whose innovations in blending traditional fiddle-driven country music with elements of swing and jazz reshaped the sound of Texas music in the mid-20th century. Jennings acknowledges this with clear admiration, recognizing Wills’ towering influence on the music that shaped so many lives and careers, including his own. On the other hand, there’s a playful undercurrent to the song — a gentle ribbing of the progressive country scene emerging in Austin, Texas at the time, particularly centered around Willie Nelson and the burgeoning outlaw movement that Jennings himself helped to popularize.
Musically, the song is stripped-down and conversational. Anchored by a loping honky-tonk rhythm and adorned with steel guitar flourishes, it offers a sound that is at once classic and subtly modern — a perfect backdrop for Jennings’ signature, easy-going vocal delivery. His voice here carries the warmth of an old friend recounting a well-worn story, inviting the listener into an inside joke among musicians and fans alike. Lines like “From Tennessee to Texas, they’re talking about the Outlaw sound” convey a sly awareness of Jennings’ own position at the crossroads of country music’s traditions and its evolving, more rebellious fringes.
Perhaps most remarkable about Bob Wills Is Still the King is its self-awareness. Waylon Jennings uses the song to simultaneously pay tribute to his roots while subtly asserting the validity and vitality of the new directions in which country music was moving. It’s an acknowledgment that while the Outlaws were shaking up Nashville and redefining the genre’s image, the foundation laid by artists like Bob Wills remained unshakable — a constant point of reference and reverence.
Over time, the song has become something of an anthem in its own right, frequently performed and covered by artists seeking to express both their love for classic country and their embrace of its evolving spirit. For listeners today, Bob Wills Is Still the King endures not just as a history lesson, but as a vibrant reminder of country music’s deep roots and ever-branching possibilities — a balancing act that few handled with as much grace and insight as Waylon Jennings.
Video
Lyric
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
[Verse 1]
Well the honky-tonks in Texas were my natural second home
Where you tip your hats to the ladies and the rose of San Antone
I grew up on music that we called western swing
It don’t matter who’s in Austin, Bob Wills is still the king[Verse 2]
Lord, I can still remember the way things were back then
In spite of all the hard times, I’d live it all again
To hear the Texas playboys and Tommy Duncan sing
Makes me proud to be from Texas where Bob Wills is still the king[Chorus 1]
You can hear the Grand Old Opry in Nashville Tennessee
It’s the home of country music, on that we all agree
But when you cross that old Red River hoss, that just don’t mean a thing
Because once you’re down in Texas, Bob Wills is still the king[Chorus 2]
Well if you ain’t never been there then I guess you ain’t been told
That you just can’t live in Texas unless you got a lot of soul
It’s the home of Willie Nelson, the home of western swing
He’ll be the first to tell you, Bob Wills is still the king